Steve Howell
@stevehowell.bsky.social
Former journalist, occasional contributor to the Nation (New York), Big Issue and on Substack: https://therestisbullshit.substack.com/
Author: Game Changer, Collateral Damage, and Over The Line. Another book coming soon.
Author: Game Changer, Collateral Damage, and Over The Line. Another book coming soon.
Pinned
Steve Howell
@stevehowell.bsky.social
· Feb 21
A Half Century of Failure to Reform the FBI Has Gifted Patel With Alarming Power
Fifty years ago, lawmakers started lifting the lid on the shocking abuses of the new Bureau chief’s most famous predecessor. The trouble is, very little changed.
www.thenation.com
Trump claims to want to end the 'weaponisation' of the FBI but he only means against people like him.
Progressives should prepare for the worst as a new director takes over an agency steeped in the politics of J Edgar Hoover - but with hi-tech tools and more staff.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
Progressives should prepare for the worst as a new director takes over an agency steeped in the politics of J Edgar Hoover - but with hi-tech tools and more staff.
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
But I thought this was all about drug cartels and democracy...
November 7, 2025 at 9:29 AM
But I thought this was all about drug cartels and democracy...
Trump makes fools of Britain’s China hawks.
The trouble with hanging on to someone’s coat-tails is that you fall off when they suddenly change direction...
While our media obsessed about Chinese spies, Trump did a deal with Xi. My post on Substack: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/trump-make...
The trouble with hanging on to someone’s coat-tails is that you fall off when they suddenly change direction...
While our media obsessed about Chinese spies, Trump did a deal with Xi. My post on Substack: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/trump-make...
November 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM
Trump makes fools of Britain’s China hawks.
The trouble with hanging on to someone’s coat-tails is that you fall off when they suddenly change direction...
While our media obsessed about Chinese spies, Trump did a deal with Xi. My post on Substack: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/trump-make...
The trouble with hanging on to someone’s coat-tails is that you fall off when they suddenly change direction...
While our media obsessed about Chinese spies, Trump did a deal with Xi. My post on Substack: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/trump-make...
Catherine Connolly is Ireland's president - winning with a record 914,143 votes.
The media is making an issue of turnout and spoilt papers.
But the turnout was higher than in 2018, and valid votes cast - after deducting spoilt papers - was almost the same (1,472,698 versus 1,473,900 in 2018).
The media is making an issue of turnout and spoilt papers.
But the turnout was higher than in 2018, and valid votes cast - after deducting spoilt papers - was almost the same (1,472,698 versus 1,473,900 in 2018).
October 25, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Catherine Connolly is Ireland's president - winning with a record 914,143 votes.
The media is making an issue of turnout and spoilt papers.
But the turnout was higher than in 2018, and valid votes cast - after deducting spoilt papers - was almost the same (1,472,698 versus 1,473,900 in 2018).
The media is making an issue of turnout and spoilt papers.
But the turnout was higher than in 2018, and valid votes cast - after deducting spoilt papers - was almost the same (1,472,698 versus 1,473,900 in 2018).
Reposted by Steve Howell
An inside job: the Labour right's conspiracies against Corbyn exposed...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
October 24, 2025 at 9:13 AM
An inside job: the Labour right's conspiracies against Corbyn exposed...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
An inside job: the Labour right's conspiracies against Corbyn exposed...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
October 24, 2025 at 9:13 AM
An inside job: the Labour right's conspiracies against Corbyn exposed...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
My review of The Fraud, a new book by Paul Holden that meticulously exposes how right wingers in the Labour Party secretly sabotaged the electoral prospects of Jeremy Corbyn. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/an-inside-...
Nord Stream court ruling highlights NATO risks...
It’s just as well NATO didn’t go to war over false claims that Russia sabotaged Europe’s gas supplies – because it was probably the work of Ukrainians and NATO-member Poland thinks that was okay.
See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nord-strea...
It’s just as well NATO didn’t go to war over false claims that Russia sabotaged Europe’s gas supplies – because it was probably the work of Ukrainians and NATO-member Poland thinks that was okay.
See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nord-strea...
October 20, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Nord Stream court ruling highlights NATO risks...
It’s just as well NATO didn’t go to war over false claims that Russia sabotaged Europe’s gas supplies – because it was probably the work of Ukrainians and NATO-member Poland thinks that was okay.
See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nord-strea...
It’s just as well NATO didn’t go to war over false claims that Russia sabotaged Europe’s gas supplies – because it was probably the work of Ukrainians and NATO-member Poland thinks that was okay.
See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nord-strea...
The geo-political motive for US colonial control of Puerto Rico is coming to the fore again with Trump deploying F-35s there ready to attack Venezuela.
Great to have Professor Díaz-Quiñones's endorsement of my new book looking at the history.
More info here: www.steve-howell.com/cold-war-pue...
Great to have Professor Díaz-Quiñones's endorsement of my new book looking at the history.
More info here: www.steve-howell.com/cold-war-pue...
October 15, 2025 at 6:58 AM
The geo-political motive for US colonial control of Puerto Rico is coming to the fore again with Trump deploying F-35s there ready to attack Venezuela.
Great to have Professor Díaz-Quiñones's endorsement of my new book looking at the history.
More info here: www.steve-howell.com/cold-war-pue...
Great to have Professor Díaz-Quiñones's endorsement of my new book looking at the history.
More info here: www.steve-howell.com/cold-war-pue...
NATO and Israel have been partners for 30 years.
Israel:
- has a permanent ambassador and an office at NATO HQ in Brussels,
- takes part in Operation Sea Guardian under NATO command,
- is armed by the leading NATO members.
The case against NATO, see: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nato-is-a-...
Israel:
- has a permanent ambassador and an office at NATO HQ in Brussels,
- takes part in Operation Sea Guardian under NATO command,
- is armed by the leading NATO members.
The case against NATO, see: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nato-is-a-...
October 15, 2025 at 5:53 AM
NATO and Israel have been partners for 30 years.
Israel:
- has a permanent ambassador and an office at NATO HQ in Brussels,
- takes part in Operation Sea Guardian under NATO command,
- is armed by the leading NATO members.
The case against NATO, see: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nato-is-a-...
Israel:
- has a permanent ambassador and an office at NATO HQ in Brussels,
- takes part in Operation Sea Guardian under NATO command,
- is armed by the leading NATO members.
The case against NATO, see: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/nato-is-a-...
Let me fix this for Shabana Mahmood:
"Large, repeated bombing can leave a trapped community feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared, especially when their homes have been reduced to rubble, they're being deprived of food, and they've already seen more than 65,000 of their neighbours killed."
"Large, repeated bombing can leave a trapped community feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared, especially when their homes have been reduced to rubble, they're being deprived of food, and they've already seen more than 65,000 of their neighbours killed."
October 5, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Let me fix this for Shabana Mahmood:
"Large, repeated bombing can leave a trapped community feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared, especially when their homes have been reduced to rubble, they're being deprived of food, and they've already seen more than 65,000 of their neighbours killed."
"Large, repeated bombing can leave a trapped community feeling unsafe, intimidated and scared, especially when their homes have been reduced to rubble, they're being deprived of food, and they've already seen more than 65,000 of their neighbours killed."
Reposted by Steve Howell
Israeli drones bombed two Global Sumud Flotilla vessels moored off Tunisia in September, causing fires. One of them was British-flagged.
Was UK intel asleep on the job? Or do we just turn a blind eye to drone strikes on our citizens when Israel does them?
More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/netanya...
Was UK intel asleep on the job? Or do we just turn a blind eye to drone strikes on our citizens when Israel does them?
More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/netanya...
October 4, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Israeli drones bombed two Global Sumud Flotilla vessels moored off Tunisia in September, causing fires. One of them was British-flagged.
Was UK intel asleep on the job? Or do we just turn a blind eye to drone strikes on our citizens when Israel does them?
More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/netanya...
Was UK intel asleep on the job? Or do we just turn a blind eye to drone strikes on our citizens when Israel does them?
More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/netanya...
Israeli drones bombed two Global Sumud Flotilla vessels moored off Tunisia in September, causing fires. One of them was British-flagged.
Was UK intel asleep on the job? Or do we just turn a blind eye to drone strikes on our citizens when Israel does them?
More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/netanya...
Was UK intel asleep on the job? Or do we just turn a blind eye to drone strikes on our citizens when Israel does them?
More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/netanya...
October 4, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Israeli drones bombed two Global Sumud Flotilla vessels moored off Tunisia in September, causing fires. One of them was British-flagged.
Was UK intel asleep on the job? Or do we just turn a blind eye to drone strikes on our citizens when Israel does them?
More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/netanya...
Was UK intel asleep on the job? Or do we just turn a blind eye to drone strikes on our citizens when Israel does them?
More here: www.cbsnews.com/news/netanya...
The assets of Farage's personal company doubled in one year.
Thorn In The Side, of which he's sole director, had assets of £2.61m on 31.5.24, including property and £1.71m in cash. Channelling income via a company saves him £1000s in tax. The Mirror says he's also sole owner of his £1m family home.
Thorn In The Side, of which he's sole director, had assets of £2.61m on 31.5.24, including property and £1.71m in cash. Channelling income via a company saves him £1000s in tax. The Mirror says he's also sole owner of his £1m family home.
September 6, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The assets of Farage's personal company doubled in one year.
Thorn In The Side, of which he's sole director, had assets of £2.61m on 31.5.24, including property and £1.71m in cash. Channelling income via a company saves him £1000s in tax. The Mirror says he's also sole owner of his £1m family home.
Thorn In The Side, of which he's sole director, had assets of £2.61m on 31.5.24, including property and £1.71m in cash. Channelling income via a company saves him £1000s in tax. The Mirror says he's also sole owner of his £1m family home.
When is a war crime not a war crime?
Answer: When the culprit is the United States and you are their apologist.
My latest post on Substack responding to Polly Toynbee's defence of the US obliteration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
Answer: When the culprit is the United States and you are their apologist.
My latest post on Substack responding to Polly Toynbee's defence of the US obliteration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
August 21, 2025 at 4:50 PM
When is a war crime not a war crime?
Answer: When the culprit is the United States and you are their apologist.
My latest post on Substack responding to Polly Toynbee's defence of the US obliteration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
Answer: When the culprit is the United States and you are their apologist.
My latest post on Substack responding to Polly Toynbee's defence of the US obliteration of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
Reposted by Steve Howell
Only a rigged system could produce this much of a mismatch...
Public disapproval in the US of Israel's actions in Gaza hits a new high of 60%.
And yet, in the same week, US Senators defeated two Bernie Sanders motions to block some arms sales to Israel by 73 to 24 and 70 to 27.
Public disapproval in the US of Israel's actions in Gaza hits a new high of 60%.
And yet, in the same week, US Senators defeated two Bernie Sanders motions to block some arms sales to Israel by 73 to 24 and 70 to 27.
August 6, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Only a rigged system could produce this much of a mismatch...
Public disapproval in the US of Israel's actions in Gaza hits a new high of 60%.
And yet, in the same week, US Senators defeated two Bernie Sanders motions to block some arms sales to Israel by 73 to 24 and 70 to 27.
Public disapproval in the US of Israel's actions in Gaza hits a new high of 60%.
And yet, in the same week, US Senators defeated two Bernie Sanders motions to block some arms sales to Israel by 73 to 24 and 70 to 27.
'History' that leaves out inconvenient facts isn't history - it's propaganda.
August 20, 2025 at 7:29 AM
'History' that leaves out inconvenient facts isn't history - it's propaganda.
Sally Rooney: "Activists who disrupt the flow of weapons to a genocidal regime may violate petty criminal statutes, but they uphold a far greater law and a more profound human imperative: to protect a people and culture from annihilation."
In full here: www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
In full here: www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
August 19, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Sally Rooney: "Activists who disrupt the flow of weapons to a genocidal regime may violate petty criminal statutes, but they uphold a far greater law and a more profound human imperative: to protect a people and culture from annihilation."
In full here: www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
In full here: www.irishtimes.com/culture/book...
While Rupert Lowe and his vigilantes target victims of the global refugee crisis, they say nothing about the West's wars that have caused it.
The effect of war on refugee flows is shown starkly by this official graphic.
Invading or aiding invasions by others (as now with Israel) are the problem.
The effect of war on refugee flows is shown starkly by this official graphic.
Invading or aiding invasions by others (as now with Israel) are the problem.
August 9, 2025 at 7:15 AM
While Rupert Lowe and his vigilantes target victims of the global refugee crisis, they say nothing about the West's wars that have caused it.
The effect of war on refugee flows is shown starkly by this official graphic.
Invading or aiding invasions by others (as now with Israel) are the problem.
The effect of war on refugee flows is shown starkly by this official graphic.
Invading or aiding invasions by others (as now with Israel) are the problem.
Only a rigged system could produce this much of a mismatch...
Public disapproval in the US of Israel's actions in Gaza hits a new high of 60%.
And yet, in the same week, US Senators defeated two Bernie Sanders motions to block some arms sales to Israel by 73 to 24 and 70 to 27.
Public disapproval in the US of Israel's actions in Gaza hits a new high of 60%.
And yet, in the same week, US Senators defeated two Bernie Sanders motions to block some arms sales to Israel by 73 to 24 and 70 to 27.
August 6, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Only a rigged system could produce this much of a mismatch...
Public disapproval in the US of Israel's actions in Gaza hits a new high of 60%.
And yet, in the same week, US Senators defeated two Bernie Sanders motions to block some arms sales to Israel by 73 to 24 and 70 to 27.
Public disapproval in the US of Israel's actions in Gaza hits a new high of 60%.
And yet, in the same week, US Senators defeated two Bernie Sanders motions to block some arms sales to Israel by 73 to 24 and 70 to 27.
The US atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - killing more than 200,000 civilians - was a barbaric, unjustifiable war crime.
As this plaque in the Hiroshima Peace Park explains, there were peace moves afoot - they just didn't suit the US's cold war agenda.
#Hiroshima_Atomic_Bomb_Day
As this plaque in the Hiroshima Peace Park explains, there were peace moves afoot - they just didn't suit the US's cold war agenda.
#Hiroshima_Atomic_Bomb_Day
August 6, 2025 at 1:21 PM
The US atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - killing more than 200,000 civilians - was a barbaric, unjustifiable war crime.
As this plaque in the Hiroshima Peace Park explains, there were peace moves afoot - they just didn't suit the US's cold war agenda.
#Hiroshima_Atomic_Bomb_Day
As this plaque in the Hiroshima Peace Park explains, there were peace moves afoot - they just didn't suit the US's cold war agenda.
#Hiroshima_Atomic_Bomb_Day
Reposted by Steve Howell
The savings from cutting welfare benefits are nothing compared to what we would have saved by not participating in US-led forever wars.
@stevehowell.bsky.social on the government's military spending surge - despite its claims of a fiscal 'black hole'.
labouroutlook.org/20...
@stevehowell.bsky.social on the government's military spending surge - despite its claims of a fiscal 'black hole'.
labouroutlook.org/20...
When is a black hole not a black hole?
Steve Howell looks at how the government is enthusiastically signing up to plans for increased military spending- despite its claims of a fiscal 'black hole'.
labouroutlook.org
July 27, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The savings from cutting welfare benefits are nothing compared to what we would have saved by not participating in US-led forever wars.
@stevehowell.bsky.social on the government's military spending surge - despite its claims of a fiscal 'black hole'.
labouroutlook.org/20...
@stevehowell.bsky.social on the government's military spending surge - despite its claims of a fiscal 'black hole'.
labouroutlook.org/20...
Blair introducing tuition fees was a classic false economy.
Instead of saving money, it transferred a lot of the cost of training doctors onto the NHS.
Doctors now need to be paid enough not only to live but also to repay £100k+ of debt.
No wonder they're striking!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-6853...
Instead of saving money, it transferred a lot of the cost of training doctors onto the NHS.
Doctors now need to be paid enough not only to live but also to repay £100k+ of debt.
No wonder they're striking!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-6853...
Student loans: UK's highest debt revealed to be £231,000
BBC obtains
www.bbc.co.uk
July 26, 2025 at 8:27 AM
Blair introducing tuition fees was a classic false economy.
Instead of saving money, it transferred a lot of the cost of training doctors onto the NHS.
Doctors now need to be paid enough not only to live but also to repay £100k+ of debt.
No wonder they're striking!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-6853...
Instead of saving money, it transferred a lot of the cost of training doctors onto the NHS.
Doctors now need to be paid enough not only to live but also to repay £100k+ of debt.
No wonder they're striking!
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-6853...
The Times reported on June 7 that Fiona Hill - a member of Starmer's Defence Review panel - had offered the UK to Trump as "an aircraft carrier." Now we learn we'll be carrying US nuclear weapons.
Hill's a Washington-based former Trump adviser. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
Hill's a Washington-based former Trump adviser. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
July 23, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The Times reported on June 7 that Fiona Hill - a member of Starmer's Defence Review panel - had offered the UK to Trump as "an aircraft carrier." Now we learn we'll be carrying US nuclear weapons.
Hill's a Washington-based former Trump adviser. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
Hill's a Washington-based former Trump adviser. See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
Reposted by Steve Howell
Starmer has committed the UK to increasing military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
In money terms, that will cost more than FIFTEEN times as much as the £5 billion he wanted to cut from disability benefits.
So why isn't it dubbed a black hole? See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
In money terms, that will cost more than FIFTEEN times as much as the £5 billion he wanted to cut from disability benefits.
So why isn't it dubbed a black hole? See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
July 20, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Starmer has committed the UK to increasing military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
In money terms, that will cost more than FIFTEEN times as much as the £5 billion he wanted to cut from disability benefits.
So why isn't it dubbed a black hole? See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
In money terms, that will cost more than FIFTEEN times as much as the £5 billion he wanted to cut from disability benefits.
So why isn't it dubbed a black hole? See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
Starmer has committed the UK to increasing military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
In money terms, that will cost more than FIFTEEN times as much as the £5 billion he wanted to cut from disability benefits.
So why isn't it dubbed a black hole? See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
In money terms, that will cost more than FIFTEEN times as much as the £5 billion he wanted to cut from disability benefits.
So why isn't it dubbed a black hole? See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
July 20, 2025 at 9:12 AM
Starmer has committed the UK to increasing military spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.
In money terms, that will cost more than FIFTEEN times as much as the £5 billion he wanted to cut from disability benefits.
So why isn't it dubbed a black hole? See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
In money terms, that will cost more than FIFTEEN times as much as the £5 billion he wanted to cut from disability benefits.
So why isn't it dubbed a black hole? See: therestisbullshit.substack.com/p/when-is-a-...
Two weeks ago: Starmer said "we've listened" on welfare cuts.
Now: Starmer has suspended the MPs he claimed to have listened to.
Bullying isn't listening, and it shows that it was only a pause, not a U turn - he's still intent on cutting welfare to pay for warfare.
Now: Starmer has suspended the MPs he claimed to have listened to.
Bullying isn't listening, and it shows that it was only a pause, not a U turn - he's still intent on cutting welfare to pay for warfare.
July 17, 2025 at 6:46 AM
Two weeks ago: Starmer said "we've listened" on welfare cuts.
Now: Starmer has suspended the MPs he claimed to have listened to.
Bullying isn't listening, and it shows that it was only a pause, not a U turn - he's still intent on cutting welfare to pay for warfare.
Now: Starmer has suspended the MPs he claimed to have listened to.
Bullying isn't listening, and it shows that it was only a pause, not a U turn - he's still intent on cutting welfare to pay for warfare.